It depends on your definition of paradise. I live in Honolulu, which is a major urban center with traffic, crowding, skyscraper office buildings, homelessness, and crime--just like any other city, but with nicer weather and the beach always nearby. However, many other parts of the state—especially on the other islands-- offer pristine natural areas as well as small town, rural living with a true tropical island pace.
You have a B.S. in Marine Biology and work as an environmental project manager. How’d you get from there to being a mystery/thriller writer?
I’ve always had a fascination with the natural world and the ocean in particular. I was one of those kids who caught frogs and turtles and crayfish from streams and brought them home to live in terrariums. Later, I earned a degree in marine biology. Writing fiction, for me, is just another way to explore the world in which we live, albeit in a highly entertaining fashion.
Tell us about WIRED KINGDOM, your new thriller.
What are you working on now?
It’s top secret at this point, but suffice to say that more action, adventure, intrigue, and cutting edge science & technology are on the way!
Share with us your road to publication: Are you an overnight success? Do you have an agent? Any special tips or advice to new authors?
Definitely not an overnight success. I wrote a couple of “practice” thriller manuscripts over the years before I wrote and eventually sold what was to become, after many versions, revisions and edits, Wired Kingdom.
I do not have an agent at this time.
The best advice I can give to new authors is to stay actively involved in promoting their work. It’s been surprising to me how many seemingly chance connections have resulted in a new reader. For new writers or aspiring authors, the best single piece of advice I can give is to read a lot within your chosen genre or area.
Do you have any special promotional activities currently underway in support of Wired Kingdom?
Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do! Right now and until July 31, 2010, I have a giveaway contest running with Goodreads.com, the free social network for book lovers. All you have to do is have a (free) Goodreads account, and click the “Enter to Win” button on this page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7975170-wired-kingdom
In return for entering, all I ask is that you spread the word by adding Wired Kingdom to your shelf and recommending it to your Goodreads friends. Winner will receive a signed copy of the book. Good luck!
What are the addresses of your websites, blogs, Facebook page, etc.?
My author website: http://rickchesler.com/
Wired Kingdom Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/WiredKingdomNovel
On publisher’s website: http://www.variancepublishing.com/books/wired-kingdom-by-rick-chesler.html
Author twitter: @RickChesler or http://www.twitter.com/RickChesler
Amazon page: http://www.tinyurl.com/WiredKingdomOnAmazon
Thank you very much for having me on Author Exchange Blog. Happy reading! -Rick
[Blog Hostess comment: I reviewed Wired Kingdom earlier this month. If you're interested in seeing my review, click here.]
